Jess

Well last night I noticed that one of my discus was hiding. Looking closer, his eyes, one especially is very distended. Reading up on Fishlore I found one can use Epson's Salt to reduce swelling.
I moved the sick discus to my 25 gal treated with Epsons salt. Moved out the lazy breeding pair that aren't breeding, out first. So the 25 is now my hospital tank. (I didn't think my 10 gal tank was big enough)
I've raise the temp. to 90 degrees to help with stress and to combat infection.
Since Pop-eye is usually caused by a Bacterial infection I've bought Maracyn II this morning for treatment this evening, first I'll do a water change to remove some of the Epson's Salt then treat with Maracyn II.

Can anyone think of anything else I can do? I will be sick if this fish loses his sight.
Thanks,
Jess

capekate

Hi Jess
Sorry to hear about your Discus.
It sounds like you have all the bases covered with this one! Best of luck to you and your Discus, hope that it improves quickly.

pinkfloydpuffer

If Maracyn2 doesn't work, I've heard good things about ampicillin curing popeye. They sell it at petmountain.com for like 3 bucks.

Jess

Thanks guys, this one was quite a surprise. Poor guy is really hurting.
Pink I'll try the ampicillin if this doesn't work.
Thanks again.

Jess

I dosed with maracyn 2 last night, so this morning I found my guy swimming around in a more normal way rather than just hanging out in the corner. He also looked like he might be interested in eating. But his eyes are still puffy. I really hope this works. I've got my fingers crossed. (the course of treatment is 5 days)

pinkfloydpuffer

I'm glad he's looking a bit better. Good luck little guy!
I would not want to lose a discus, they're pricey and beautiful.

capekate

Sounds good Jess
I will keep my fingers crossed as well for your Discus...Sounds like its doing much better.

Slug

Do lots of water changes on his tank. Its good you already seperated it. Is it eating still?

I'd just keep dosing Maracyn 2 and do lots of water changes and give it some time and see how it goes.

Jess

Hi Matt, he stopped eating yesterday. Today he looked interested some, saw him nibble a few blood worms. Marcyn's directions said to keep feedings light. Is it ok to do water changes while I'm dosing? They don't mention a water change till the end of 5 days. Of course I want to do daily ones. Would that take out too much medication? Or does the medication do its thing and then become inactive as time goes by. What would you do?
Thanks for your help.

Pink its come down to not how much they cost, but how attached I am to them. I know you know what I mean.

Oh and mean while the "possible mated pair" is playing havoc with a laid back aquarium. The male is all big and bad, being territorial chasing and nagging, claiming his space. This is why I moved them. So I hope my injured fella gets better so I can put these two back where they belong. And move him back to his home.

Thanks Capekate, he seems better. Perkier anyway.

By the way, that's him in my avatar.

pinkfloydpuffer

Yep, I certainly do. I'm the person who cried for days over a $7 fish.

Jess

This weekend went well. My pop-eyed discus appears to be getting better. Today was the last of the medication treatment. He's gobbling up food. He seems active swimming about. He has some vision in his bad eye. He looks like his been in a nasty brawl with a black eye. Like a big bruise. I think time will heal and allow his body to reabsorb the blood around his eye. Its gone down so much I can't believe it. I don't think it will ever be 100% the same, but I'm glad to see his happy attitude back. I'm planning on keeping him in QT for at least another week. Does anyone have any suggestions about that? Should I put in one of his discus buddies to keep him company?

pinkfloydpuffer

That's so great to hear! I wouldn't put any other fish in there though, just to be safe.

Jess

How long would you wait before moving him back to the big tank?

pinkfloydpuffer

In theory, probably 2 weeks, just like quarantining a new fish. However, I am known to get a bit impatient at times...

Jess

Ahhh, 2 weeks sounds good. Don't beat yourself up so. We're all that way.

cerianthus

Good News and am happy for you and your Discus. I am sure you are aware, closely monitor the water in Q/T

Jess

Yes, thanks, I've been changing it every evening after feeding at about 40%.

pinkfloydpuffer

Well, I did make it over a week with my guppies lol

dvc_r

HI Jess:

Haven't talked to you in a while. I'm glad to hear things are turning around.

Jess

Hi dvc_r, yes the little guy is doing better. He's still by himself. His eye as gone done the bruise is almost gone. There is a haze over his eye but it looks like he has some use of it. I'm going to keep him in there for another week and make sure he gets well fed before moving him back. His color is back, eating, looking for attention.
By the way, did I mention my fiance flies remote planes too?
We've got 3 stashed in the basement. I'm encouraging him to turn one into a seaplane.
I think it would be so cool to fly it down on the beach. (on a calm day)
(I wouldn't dream of making him sell any.

dvc_r

WOW! tell him to come on down to Florida where you can fly all year round!
I spend a lot of time with my dad, between the two of us we have 16 planes and I just bought another one today for him... But this is another blog, at another time.

Did I tell you I finally got my Discus. 3 Marlboro Reds and one Blue Cobalt. The Reds are about 3.5 inches and Blue is about 2 inches. They're having a heck of a time getting used to their new home. The 3 Reds kind of stay together but always chasing each other for dominance and poor Blue always hiding behind my plants. I'll have to upload a picture.
I thought this was going to be a nice peaceful tank but it's (Paid per View) Wrestlemania in there!

Jess

Well you sound addicted to flying as well. I went to an air show here in CT in the fall, it was really amazing. I wish I could remember the name of the plane a young 13 year old was flying but he was really amazing. Knife edge fly by and a bunch of other tricks.

They're trying to decide who's boss. It takes a while to find order. Would love to see pictures of them. (I'm trying to figure out how to post movies of mine)
In may case I've moved out the pair or will be moving them back into the 25gal. They seem more peaceful there.

I looked closely at my discus in QT, I can't believe his eye is healing! The foggy film is clearing from his bad eye. Its almost completely healed. I kinda wish I had taken pictures of this whole process. I was thinking no one wants to see a sick fish. But this medication Maracyn II really worked. Also I don't think he would have made it if I left him with the rest. I think I'll move him back in with the rest next week. Besides the so called mated pair are harassing my big beautiful discus and making his tail ragged.
Hard to keep peace and balance with these aquariums.